Eddie Nketiah and Omari Hutchinson react to Joe Willock’s Newcastle message
Joe Willock took to social media to celebrate Newcastle United’s victory over West Ham at the London Stadium on Monday.
Bruno Guimaraes scored the only goal in a tightly fought affair to hand Graham Potter his fourth league defeat since taking over the Hammers, also giving the Magpies a much-needed boost.
Eddie Howe will be desperate for his side to finish in the top-four spots in the Premier League this season, qualifying for the Champions League, and the team now find themselves just two points below.
Without European qualification, Newcastle exits have already been tipped for Alexander Isak and Guimaraes while Anthony Gordon could also find himself elsewhere this summer.
However, with all three points claimed in East London on Monday night, the Magpies took an important step toward reaching their goals this season.
Joe Willock celebrates important victory over West Ham
Taking to Instagram [10 March], Willock wrote: “Big win +3,” with a black heart emoji. Joining right-back Kieran Trippier, Ipswich Town’s Omari Hutchinson and Crystal Palace’s Eddie Nketiah liked the post.
Teammate William Osula also reacted, commenting with three praying emojis.
While the 25-year-old only played the final 11 minutes of the clash, replacing Harvey Barnes in the closing stages, he helped see out the win at the London Stadium.
Eddie Howe looking ahead of Carabao Cup final v Liverpool
Football Insider verdict
With the Hammers pushing right until the final, eyebrows were raised when Guimaraes and Isak were replaced by Willock and Wilson, but Newcastle have other priorities.
The Magpies have just Liverpool left to beat in the EFL Cup final, and with a real chance to bring silverware back to St James’ Park, the squad needs to be balanced.
| Premier League standings | Points |
| 4. Chelsea | 49 |
| 5. Man City | 47 |
| 6. Newcastle | 47 |
| 7. Brighton | 46 |
Champions League qualification is just as important as the EFL Cup, if not more important in terms of keeping star players at the club, so it was certainly a risk to take of the two best players against West Ham.
Howe is already without Gordon, Sven Botman and Lewis Hall for the final, so losing Isak or Guimaraes in the closing stages would have been a crushing blow for the team.
With the players going unscathed at the London Stadium, all focus and preparation can now turn to facing Arne Slot’s tricky Reds.